Installing Shoulder Belts

banjopicker66 · Post by **banjopicker66** » April 15, 2010, 10:38 am

I am looking at installing shoulder belts in my Slick, is there any issue with bolting the third point to the metal shroud/plate between the window and the door? Is the metal strong enough to handle an accident without ripping loose?

slickmainer · Post by **slickmainer** » April 15, 2010, 11:03 am

here is a good write up

http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10557

The Big M · Post by **The Big M** » April 16, 2010, 12:08 pm

There's also this thread, in which I just posted some of my thoughts on the issue:

http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.ph ... 781#137781

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » April 16, 2010, 9:33 pm

I too chose to just post my comments on the "seatbelts in my 62" thread over in the Tips and Tricks section.

I think you (banjo) have seen mine. They are anchored with 12" x 1 x 1/4" strap iron behind the stiffener. Would have to take out the whole corner stiffener. Possible, but still far better than just a lap belt.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » April 21, 2010, 9:44 am

I too just mentioned my mistakes in that thread on my 1st use of aftermarket seatbelts

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » April 23, 2010, 12:24 am

look at my post on the seatbelts in a 62 thread.

I dont believe the corner panel will withstand the pulling force applied by your chest. I think the spot welds will pop right out...

I strongly recommend the reinforcing plates I hammered out with the torch. They were in fact difficult to get into the proper shape, but worth every moment of effort in my book.

the plates wedge firmly into the door and window frames.

The Big M · Post by **The Big M** » April 23, 2010, 11:35 am

That is a concern as well. I've done some rudimentary finite element analysis on an approximation of the corner panel, but it's 100% dependent on the assumption that the spot welds will hold.

charliemccraney · Post by **charliemccraney** » April 23, 2010, 11:52 am

Have you all ever tried to remove a panel by prying the spot welds loose? It's not easy. I don't doubt that in a big enough collision that panel will deform or possibly tear off but I suspect that in an accident of that magnitude, the failure of that component will probably be inconsequential.
It would be interesting if anyone here is an engineer who can calculate the approximate force required to cause that panel to tear off.

MattsIASlickShop · Post by **MattsIASlickShop** » April 25, 2010, 4:45 pm

Yeah, I think the corner panel is strong enough with a backing plate to slow your body enough from being speared too hard with the steering shaft. even if it tears loose, it will not go as deep as when you have no belt, or just a lap belt.

Assuming, of course, that the cab isn't going to slide forward because the cab mounts have rotted off... :roll:

kstones63 · Post by **kstones63** » April 25, 2010, 6:13 pm

I used 2 pieces of 1"x1/4" flat welded above each other and curved to fit behind the panel. The mounting nut is welded to these pieces and then then it is all tacked in to hold it in place.
In a very bad accident I would be more worried about the steering wheel on the early models with the steering shaft connected to the steering box, coming back and hitting you instead of you hitting the wheel.

Kevin